Hi,
I'm looking at purchasing my first surfboard purely for kitesurfing. I've been riding a old PU board i picked up at a garage sale but now potentially want to get a proper board.
The one thing i am not sure of is the size/volume that i should look at using. Surfing as a guide i use 30-32 litre board.
Understand kitesurfing it's unlikely i would need that sort of volume.
Does anyone have any sort of guide on what to look for in size?
I'm 180cm and 80kgs.
i think it is more based on surface area than volume for kiting but some would probably argue against that. If you are looking for a light wind small waves type board go a short wide shape like a nugget, pickle etc. You can go a fair bit less volume than your reg surfboard as you dont need to paddle it in to the waves. otherwise get an all round shape. There are normally only 1 or 2 sizes in kitesurf surfboards so go a bigger one if you want more planning /smaller wave conditions or a smaller size if you like to ride more powered in bigger surf
There's so many boards out there, if your buying new & price is not an issue - have a look at the FireWire Evo or Vader. They are strappless only boards but their stable enough to learn on & pretty much cutting-edge design wise atm, so you won't outgrow it too quickly.
Awesome, thanks again. Appreciate what you are both saying.
I'll be looking for a 2nd hand. but understand what you are saying.
I had a evo for a surfboard which i did really enjoy.
Awesome, thanks again. Appreciate what you are both saying.
I'll be looking for a 2nd hand. but understand what you are saying.
I had a evo for a surfboard which i did really enjoy.
If your light enough, grab the 5'3 Evo so you can kite + surf it
I am transitioning to a surfboard myself, but it's bloody hard to get up on your feet especially without a footstrap!
But once you've mastered it, I've heard people say you never go back or rarely. The freedom with a true surfing board is amazing, and you get going in winds that are too low for a normal twin-tip board. So hats off to you sir! Let us know how you go. ps. Any surfboard is ok... just keep it under 6'5" is the general rule of thumb.
I'm 180cm /87kgs or 6" tall and started off with a 6'1. Now riding a 5'10 which seems too big - I have my eye on one of the Fone mitu boards in a 5'6.
Strapless is really quite straightforward and not hard. Plus you need to be able to move fwd in order to ride upwind properly so I would really encourage anyone to try the strapless SB over strapped.
Hey, I recently made the switch from twin tip to strapless surfboard. I'm 85kg, 178cm tall
I got a 2018 North Whip 5'2" which is 23.5L and typically use it with a 8m kite from 21- 26kt and I can head straight back out on my twin tip with my 10m kite in the same conditions.
Dimensions are 5'2" X 18 1/2" X 2 3/16"23.5L
The outline of the board and amount of rocker are also a consideration.Hope that helps.
Shinnster. My light wind board and super fun in small surf. Indestructible and you will be riding a kite 2 sqm smaller than when on a TT.